Air compressor system



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AIR COMPRESSOR SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ,Ye/my w. A 'afa Oct. 13, 1953 H. w. NEFF AIR COMPRESSOR SYSTEM I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 19. 1951 INVENTOR. ,/wgy U. NEFF, BY

ArroRMeY Patented Oct. 13, 1953 AIR COMPRESSOR 'SYSTEM Henry W. Ne, Detroit, Mich., assigner to Power Brake Parts Manufacturing Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application April 19, 1951, vserial No. v221,817

The present invention pertains to an air compressor system and embodies improvements on the apparatus shown in the copending application of Frank M. Stella, lSerial No. 80,889, iiled March 19, 1949 Ynow Patent No. 2,610,235. The system is designed particularly for blowing an air horn on motor vehicles.

The system disclosed in the copending application embodies a Vcompressor and an electric driving motor, the latter receiving current through a relay which in turn is energized and closed by the running of the generator on the vehicle. Thus, the air horn and the motor cannot exhaust an idle battery or, in other words, the battery delivers current to the driving motor only when it is being charged by the generator. A similar system is embodied in Vthis invention which, further, provides refinements in the control of the system.

One of the objects of the invention -is to provide means vfor relieving the pressure after each operation thereof, so that the compressor will not be required to start against a load or back pressure. To accomplish this object a line is extended froin the chamber of the compressor and contains -a relief valve which lies adjacent to the aforementioned solenoid and in fact in axial alinement therewith. The seating member or head of the valve extends into physical .contact with the armature of the solenoid. The armature, when attracted, bridges a pair of spaced contacts in the circuit of the electric motor. Otherwise, the armature is removed from the contacts by means of a spring. When the solenoid is dce-energized by means presently to be described, the armature is displaced by the spring and opens the relief valve to reduce the pressure within the compressor to atmospheric.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means for de-energizing the solenoid and thus opening the driving motor .circuit when a given pressure has been reached in a storage tank con nected to the exhaust of the compressor. For this purpose a pressure-operated switch is incorporated in the circuit of the solenoid. The pressure side of this switch is connected into the line which joins the compressor to the storage tank. At a given high pressure, the switch opens and renders the solenoid inoperative, so that the compresser 'motor will not run until the 'tank pressure drops to a predetermined limit.

The invention is fully disclosed vby way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawings in which:

-Figur'e 'l is a diagrammatic view of the device, showing the circuits;

4 Claims. (Cl. 23o-4) Figure 2 is a plan view of the pressure regulating switch;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3--3 of Figm ure 2;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of the solenoid switch and pressure relief valve;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 ofyFigure 4;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section of the compressor and driving motor;

Figure 7 is a section on the line iof Figure 6, and

Figures 8 and 9 are sections on the lines 8 8 and 9-9 respectively of Figure 1.

Reference to vthese views will now be made by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

Air is compressed by a suitable electrically driven compressor VIll operated by an electric motor Il constructed as shown, for example, in the copending application of Frank M. Stella, Serial No. 80,889, led March 11, 1949 now Patent No. 2,610,235. The outlet 38 of the compressor Ais connected-to anair storage tank i5 which in turn is connected to the horn or horns i i8 by a line I In the latter is inserted an electromagnetic valve ||8 operated by a grounded but ton H9.

One side of the motor is grounded at I2, and the other side is connected by a live conductor 55 tothe output side of a solenoid switch l2@ which will presently bedescribed in detail. The electrical system also includes a conventional generator |2|, a battery |22 VVand a voltage regulator |23 carried on the vehicle.

The terminals of the generator are connected by conductors |24 and |25 respectively to the armature post S26 and eld post 21 oi the volt age regulator. Battery posts |28 and |23 on the voltage 'regulator are connected by conductors |30 and |3| respectively to the positive and negative terminals |32 and |33 of the battery. The conductor l|24 is grounded through the generator The battery terminal |33 is connected by a wire |34 .to a terminal V|38 of the coil or" the valve |18, the other terminal |38 being joined yby a conductor |31 to the horn button H9 and the latter being grounded Aat I8.

With reference to the solenoid valve in detail, it includes a core |39 surrounded by a coil les which is grounded at Idil. t one end of the core are two spaced contacts lili and iii/2, the former being joined to the conductor si: and ,thus tothe motor as previously set forth. A conductor |43 extends from the contact |42 to the battery terminal |29 ofthe-voltage regulator |23.

The armature terminal |26 of the regulator is connected by a conductor |44 to the coil |46. An armature disk |45 is attracted by the energized solenoid to bridge the contacts |4| and |42. The disk is loosely connected to the adjacent end of the core 39 by insulated iiexible members |43 and is normally held spaced from the contacts by a spring |41.

The solenoid switch 20 is energized and closed only by current from the generator, in the following manner. The grounded generator |2| when driven by the engine charges the grounded battery |22 through the conductor |25, the usual field (not shown) between the terminals |21 and |28, conductor |32 and grounded battery termi nal |32. The running generator energizes the coil |40 through conductor |24, terminal |25, conductor |44 and ground, thus closing the disk |45 on the conductors |4| and |42. Battery current is supplied to the motor from terminal |33, through conductor |3l, terminal |29, conductor |43, contact |42, disk E45, contact |4I, conductor 55, through the motor and to the ground l2.

The horns |56 are operated on opening of the valve H. This valve is opened by pushing the button H which completes a grounded circuit from battery terminal |33 through conductor |34, posts |35 and 35, and conductor E31.

When the engine is not running, the horns can be blown until the Storage tank is exhausted, but

the electric motor will not start and thus will not drain the battery, since the closing of the electric motor circuit depends on the running of the generator as above set forth. The generator is always turning over when the engine is runexcept when the electric motor circuit is automatically opened by the means that will presently be described.

At a given pressure in the tank I5, the electric rnctor circuit is closed. even when the generator is running, by a pressure regulating switch insertcd in the conductor |44. The switch is enclosed in an insulating housing |50 having a nipple connected into the line 30 by a pipe T 52. In the nipple is slidably mounted a button E53 adapted to move a spring-pressed arm |54 in the housing |50, the arm having one end pivotally mounted at |55. The free end of the arm is engaged by a coil spring |56 adjusted by a screw |51 mounted in the housing |50. A fixed contact E58 is mounted over a partition |59 in the housing. This contact is connected to a post |50 by means known in the art and therefore not shown, By similar means the other post |6| is connected to a iioating arm |62 having one end normally bearing on the contact |58. The posts |50 and Elli are inserted in the conductor |44.

A button |63 slidable in the partition |59 is engaged by the arm |54 and also engages the contact arm |62. On development of a predetermined pressure of about 125 lbs. in the tank |5,

the button |53 displaces the arm |54 which in turn moves the button |59. The pressure thus exerted on the contact arm |52 lifts it `from the nxed contact |58 through a spring snap action |54 embodied in the arm |32. The conductor |44 is thereby broken, and the solenoid switch |20 cannot be closed to energize the motor The pressure regulating switch is designed to close when the tank pressure drops to 60 to 65 pounds.

4 This type of switch is known in the art and therefore not described in greater detail.

The invention also includes a pressure release valve for the compressor so that the latter is not called upon to start against a back pressure. A valve housing is suitably attached to an end cap |1| of the solenoid switch housing |20 and in line with the axis of the core |39. The valve housing has a valve seat |12 adapted to be closed by a valve head |13. A tting |14l is screwed into the housing |12 and retains a spring |15 which holds the head |13 normally on the seat |12. A pipe line |16 is connected to the tting |14 by a coupling |11 and is also connected into the line 30 at the compressor by a suitable fitting |18.

The disk |45 has a neck |19` extending toward and engaging a stem |80 extending from the head |13. The relief housing |10 is formed with ports |8| positioned between the head |13 and the disk |45.

When the disk |45 is attracted into engagement with the contacts |4| and |42, the spring |15 holds the head |13 seated. When the coil |40 is ole-energized, the spring |41 over-balances the spring and pushes the head |13 oir its seat. The stein |S may be a square section operating in a round hole |82, whereby a fluid path is now established from the line |15 to the ports |8|.

The compressor chamber is thus relieved down to atmospheric pressure, but not the tank l5 because of a check valve |83 inserted in the line 3Q between the compressor and the tank.

The compressor includes a vertical housing 200 with a cap bolted thereon and holding the edge of a diaphragm 202. To a side of the housing 2S@ is bolted the housing 203 of the motor l, with an oil seal 204 between the parts. A motor shaft e is journalled in ball bearings 205 in the housing 203 and extends through the seal 204 into an external recess 205 in the adjacent side of the housing 200. In this recess the shaft 201 carries a driving pinion 208. A plate 209 is fitted between the housings 200 and 203 and encloses the recess 201 so that the latter is used as an oil chamber. An oil level plug 2 0 is provided in the lower portion of the plate 209.

ln the lower portion of the housing 20|! is journalled a crank shaft 2| formed with an eccentric 2 l 2 and mounted in ball bearings 2|3. An oil seal 2id is fitted against the bearing adjacent to the chamber 201. A connecting rod 2|5 is tted on the eccentric 2 2, with a ball bearing 2 3 between the parts. A clamping ring 2|1 secures the diaphragm 202 upon the upper end of the connecting rod.

The cap 20| is formed with an intake passage 2|3 in which is mounted a valve disk 2|!! closing upwardly against a valve seat 220. A felt air cleaner is fitted in the passage ZIB at some distance above the valve seat and is held down by a coil spring 222 which in turn is held by a retaining ring 223 screwed into the passage 2|8. The ring is covered by a suitable screen 224.

The cap 20| is also formed with an outlet passage 225 in which is also tted a valve disk 226 closing downward on a valve seat 221. In this passage is screwed a nipple 228 which has a stem 229 extending toward the valve disk but not normally engaging it. A coil spring 230 surrounds the stem and yieldably holds the disk 226 on the seat 221. The base of the nipple 228 is formed with ports 23| to maintain constant communication between the intermediate portion of the passage 225 and the interior of the nipple. The

nipple receives the fitting |18 which is connected to the lines 30 and I 16 as shown in Figure 1.

What I claim is:

1. In a compressor system, a compressor, an electric motor for driving the same, a, conductor for supplying current to said motor and including a pair of spaced contacts, an armature for bridging said contacts, a spring normally holding said armature away from said contacts, a solenoid adapted to attract said armature to said contacts, automatic means for intermittently energizing said solenoid, a fluid line extending from said compressor, a, valve body in said line and having a valve seat, a valve head connected to and movable by said armature to close on said seat, said body having an exhaust passage extending from said valve seat and controlled by said valve head, whereby said armature moves said head olT said seat when said solenoid is de-energized to connect said compressor through said fluid line and exhaust passage to atmosphere.

2. In a compressor system, a compressor, an electric motor for driving the same, a conductor for supplying current to said motor and including a pair of spaced contacts, an armature for bridging said contacts, a spring normally holding said armature away from said contacts, a solenoid adapted to attract said armature to said contacts, automatic means for intermittently energizing said solenoid, a fluid line extending from said compressor, a Valve body in said line and having a valve seat, a valve head adapted to close on said seat, said body having an exhaust passage extending from said valve seat and controlled by said valve head, a rigid connection between said armature and said valve head, whereby said armature moves said head oif said seat when said solenoid is deenergized to connect said compressor through said :uid line and exhaust passage to atmosphere.

3. In a compressor system, a compressor, an electric motor for driving the same, a conductor for supplying current to said motor and including a pair of spaced contacts, an armature for bridging said contacts, a spring normally holding said armature away from said contacts, a solenoid adapted to attract said armature to said contacts, a iluid line extending from said compressor, a valve body in said line and having a valve seat, a valve head connected to and movable by said armature to close on said seat. said body having an exhaust passage extending from said valve seat and controlled by said valve head, a rigid connection between said armature and said valve head, whereby said armature moves said head oil said seat when said solenoid is de-energized to connect said compressor through said uid line and exhaust passage to atmosphere, a conductor for supplying current to said solenoid, a normally closed pressure-operated switch in the last named conductor, a tank, a iiuid line from the exhaust of said compressor to said tank, said last named switch being connected to said last named line for opening by pressure therein to render said solenoid and motor inoperative.

4. In a compressor system, a compressor, an electric motor for driving the same, a conductor for supplying current to said motor and including va pair of spaced contacts, an armature for bridging said contacts, a spring normally holding said armature away from said contacts, a solenoid adapted to attract said armature to said contacts, a fluid line extending from said compressor, a valve body in said line and having a valve seat, a valve head' adapted to close on said seat, said body having an exhaust passage extending from said valve seat and controlled by said valve head, a rigid connection between said armature and said valve head, whereby said armature moves said head off said seat when said solenoid is deenergized to connect said compressor through said fluid line and exhaust passage to atmosphere, a conductor for supplying current to said solenoid, a normally closed pressureoperated switch in the last named conductor, a tank, a iiuid line from the exhaust of said compresser to said tank, said last named switch being connected to said last named line for opening by pressure therein to render said solenoid and motor inoperative.

HENRY W. NEFF.

References Cited in the le of this patent 4UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,117,394 Joleen Nov. 17, 1914 1,213,815 Axtell Jan. 30, 191.7 1,231,662 Storer July 3, 1917 1,315,433 Tatum Sept. 9, 1919 1,358,798 Tin Nov. 16, 1920 1,496,510 Aikman June 3, 1924 

